Out of Stock

Description

When Santa Cruz introduced the Tallboy, its combination of Virtual Pivot Point suspension and 29er wheels helped persuade opinions of Luddite naysayers. Since then the Tallboy has been a staple of the XC market. But, the current crop of 29er forks are now allowing manufacturers to unleash the full potential of the 29er with longer travel options like the Tallboy LT R AM Complete Bike offered here.

Thanks to major advancements in the past few years, 29ers are quickly becoming the favored tool on dicey lines under aggressive riders. We're witnessing this evolution first hand as larger wheels are taking over the all-mountain segment. And, the Tallboy LT R AM is leading the way with advanced, long-travel, 29er geometry, choice components, and well thought out features.

While Santa Cruz tweaked the geometry of the original Tallboy by slackening the head angle for confident handling in conditions where 135mm of rear wheel travel will take it, they didn't stop there. This frame has received some insightful upgrades. Recognizing that the Tallboy LT will see heavy-duty, bone-rattling action, ISCG05 tabs were added to the bottom bracket shell to accommodate a chainguide, should you decide to add one.

Additionally, the lower suspension link is asymmetrical to ensure chainguide clearance, and a 142 x 12mm rear axle stiffens up the rear triangle. It also gets routing for a seat dropper post. The Tallboy LT frame is made of aluminum, with Santa Cruz's signature hydroformed top and down tubes. It's heavier than its carbon brother, but its price is much friendlier.

The LT utilizes Santa Cruz's patented counter-rotating shock link, or Virtual Pivot Point suspension design. This allows for a dynamic feel throughout the suspension travel. When sag is set correctly, the Tallboy LT is extremely responsive to small- and medium-sized bumps. For larger hits that push it deeper into its travel, and becomes more stubborn -- a necessity to avoid harsh bottom-out. It's also a crisp, efficient pedaler, even in the small chainring.

Another big plus of VPP suspension is its durability; Santa Cruz guarantees their pivot bearings for life. The suspension is sprung by a light and custom-tuned Fox Float CTD rear shock. Its three-position lever lets you select distinct damping for the terrain you're riding -- Climb, Trail, Descend. This keeps things simple and intuitive so you can focus on the trail and not whether if your knobs are turned to the correct setting.